Call To Order
Mayor Alan Merkle called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 9611 SE 36th Street, Mercer Island, Washington. Roll Call
City Councilmembers Susan Blake, Bryan Cairns, Sven Goldmanis, Dan Grausz, El Jahncke, Jim Pearman, and Mayor Alan Merkle were present.

Special Business
Proclamation: Mayor Merkle read a proclamation recognizing the graduates of West Point and setting February 1, 2002 to March 16, 2002 as the West Point Bicentennial Celebration on Mercer Island. Mayor Merkle presented the proclamation to Michael Cero and Edward Hertel, two of seven graduates who live on Mercer Island.

Appearances
Carolyn Boatsman, 3210 74th Ave SE, thanked the Council for discussing the housing scale on First Hill. She asked the Council to direct staff to develop code to help maintain First Hill’s natural character.

Ira Appelman, 6213 83rd Place SE, (speaking as a private citizen not as an Open Space Conservancy Trust member) stated that he feels like the Open Space Conservancy Trust has been operating as the Pioneer Park Conservancy Trust. He urged the Council to direct the board to consider adding more open spaces to the Trust. He suggested adding Mercerdale Hills and Gallagher Hill. He also pointed out that all of the current members live on the south end of the Island and he asked that the Mayor consider applicant addresses when filling the two upcoming vacancies on the board.

Minutes
It was moved by Councilmember Jahncke; seconded by Councilmember Goldmanis to:

Approve the revised minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 4, 2002 as amended:

“At 19.16.010, Definitions:
Large (regulated) tree: Any conifer tree that is eightsix feet (8’)(6’) tall or more or any deciduous tree with a diameter of more than six inches (6”).
Small (regulated) tree: Any conifer tree that is less than eightsix feet (8’)(6’) tall or any deciduous tree with a diameter of more than six inches (6”) or less.”

The Chair put the question on the motion; Motion Passed 7-0.

Consent Calendar

Payables:

$ 1,204,645.41

Payrolls:

$419,899.15 (02/08/02)

$ 392,031.00 (02/22/02)

AB 3636 Approve ARCH Work Program & Administrative Budget: Approve the ARCH 2001 Work Program and Budget and authorize expenditure of $21,350 for Mercer Island’s contribution to the ARCH Administrative Budget.

It was moved by Councilmember Blake; seconded by Councilmember Grausz to:

Approve the Consent Calendar and the recommendations contained therein.

The Chair put the question on the motion; Motion Passed 7-0.

Regular Business AB 3638 Gallagher Hill Road at North Mercer Way – Public Art Project (no presentation)
Councilmember Sven Goldmanis spoke to the Council regarding the upcoming Arts Council projects.

It was moved by Councilmember Goldmanis; seconded by Councilmember Jahncke to:

Appropriate $10,000 from the Municipal Arts Trust Fund for the Gallagher Hill Arts Project, accept the program and artist selection panel as described and direct staff and Arts Council to move forward in securing the artwork.

The Chair put the question on the motion; Motion Passed 7-0.

AB 3639 E-Gov Alliance Interlocal Agreement

City Manager Rich Conrad explained the parts of the Interlocal Agreement to the Council, including the E-Gov alliance, the E-permitting program, and the on-line recreation class registration portal.

City Attorney Londi Lindell informed the Council that the agreement was drafted and negotiated by the City Attorneys for each member City and therefore is ready for adoption.

Building Official Don Cole answered questions from the Council regarding the E-permitting program.

It was moved by Councilmember Goldmanis; seconded by Councilmember Blake to:

Authorize the City Manager to execute an Interlocal Agreement establishing the E-Gov alliance and authorize the expenditure of $18,439 of CIP funds for full Principal member status.

The Chair put the question on the motion; Motion Passed 7-0.
AB 3641 Housing Scale on First Hill
Assistant City Manger Linda Herzog presented the history of the housing scale on First Hill and the course of action taken by staff to gather information after the Council placed the housing scale on the priority work plan.

Development Services Director Richard Hart illustrated the framework and context of the housing scale on First Hill.

The Mayer opened the floor for public comment:

Anne Fox, 2981 74the Ave SE, thanked the Council for directing staff to follow through with the petition. She complimented staff on the quality of the report and hoped the Council would direct staff to work on the scale and density on First Hill.

Steve Bryan, 2426 70th Ave SE, believes that the root of the problem is that there are a large number of undersized and non-conforming lots.

Bill Northrop, 2926 71st Ave SE, would like the code changed to allow for a little bit more room between houses. He suggested an overlay to have all houses be in the center of the lot.

Ann Gibson, 2734 72nd Ave SE, agrees with the previous speakers.

Jim Stipes, 3427 72nd Place SE, commented that the First Hill neighborhood is a positive neighborhood that will evidently change if some tweaks are not made.

The Mayor closed the public comment period.

After considerable Council discussion the following motion was made:

It was moved by Councilmember Cairns; seconded by Councilmember Blake to:

Direct staff to only look at and review (1) non-conforming lots and (2) side setbacks on an Island-wide basis.

The Chair put the question on the motion; Motion Passed 5-2 (Mayor Merkle and Councilmember Grausz dissenting).
Open Council Discussion
(See Councilmember Reports)

Other Business Councilmember Absences: Jim Pearman will be absent from the March 18th meeting.

Planning Schedule: Mayor Forum on Thursday, March 14th, 2002 at 7:00 pm at the Main Fire Station.

[Important Note: The proceedings of the City Council meeting were recorded on tape and are filed in the City Clerk's Office. The complete agenda and official minutes of this meeting are also filed in the City Clerk's office.]